Fighting? Her knees felt weak and she rolled in her high heels, but luckily she caught his arm. She met his handsome brown eyes. "Why tell menow?"
He winked. "You keep harping on my interest in physics, but I have more thanone."
Lucio's entire physique sang out "not a nerd." He'd changed. She could feel heat rising in her chest, but she made it to the tarmac without tripping. "Well, then I can confess I enjoy learning new blends of white wine and having a glass afterwork."
They walked a red carpet toward a waiting white limo. Once again Lucio placed his strong hand on the small of her back and she felt guided, safe. "There is plenty of wine at the palace, but there’s also a local vineyard near the North Castle. I'll takeyou."
"Sounds amazing." She imagined walking in a green farmland next to Lucio, lost in the grapeclusters.
The driver opened the rear passenger door for them and she slid inside, Lucio right behind her. "It's settled, then. We'll head to the North Castle for a fewdays."
"Yes. Let's do that." She loved the idea of spending time with just Lucio. Perhaps she'd not feel this burning sensation in her stomach at the idea she was stealing him from her sister. "My parents and I don't always get along thebest."
"I completely understand." The chauffer started the car and signaled right. Lucio tapped the lowered window between them and said, "The North Castle,please."
The driver turned back toward him. "Your parents are expecting you, YourHighness."
"We're still heading to the North Castle." Lucio sat with assurance against the seat. "I can always drive the lady myself if you must return to thepalace."
"No need, sir. I'll get you there." The driver went left and soon the private airport was at theirback.
This was her chance to refocus the conversation. She sat next to him and smoothed the pearls on her necklace. "What do youunderstand?"
Her hem slid higher and he saw her legs. He stared at her movement and she was keenly aware of every inch of flesh this might show while her entire body felt flushed, but she didn’t tug it down. He’d always been a leg man as far as sheknew.
He closed the partition and waited until it was completely secure. "I love my family, but I don't want them controlling everything I do and say. When I was fifteen, I wasn’t making smart decisions about women and perhaps your sister was a bad idea for me long term, but I should have been able to see that for myself without my own parents’ interference. The lesson I learned that day was to never seek their good opinion in the first place when we moved toAvce."
Her heart squeezed in her chest as she folded her hands in her lap, needing to ask, but fearing the answer. "What made you think that my sister is not a good ideanow?"
He lowered his face and she swore she saw a slight blush. "When I flew to Scotland to clear the air with her, I understood she'd throw her wedding off with her fiancé and come with me if Iasked."
Amy's face tightened. He was right. Her sister probably would have. "So? Evie always said she loved you. Why did her willingness to go with you turn youoff?"
And poor Michael, she thought, though she’d never say that outloud.
"I'm an adult." He adjusted his seat. "And I had the distinct feeling it wasn't me but my title. Prince, to herprincess."
Amy’s mouth dried and she tugged her hem to her knees. Her parents had always said that was the reason they had daughters in the first place. Her "yes" came from that same lesson her sister’s had. "That's it? You came and offered the job to me because my sister made you feel as if she wanted thetitle?"
He shrugged. "I also had the sense she'd make a horrible wife—for me. When I met you again, I realized that the computer was right and you're perfect to be my princess. So here weare."
"It's hard to think of myself as a princess, Lucio." She twirled one of her pearls and stared out the window at the passing pine trees. "I spend most of my days researching some small detail that might matter in a remote part of the world for a report I’ve been paid towrite."
He placed his hand on her knee. "Researching is not the same as seeing or experiencing." She turned toward him as the car drove up a hill, through the countryside. "I want you to feel Avce in yourblood."
Lucio made feeling his country sound like it included him. His fingers traced the bare skin above her knee and thrills raced up her leg. She nodded, "I can’t wait to learn all aboutit."
He leaned closer and whispered, "Now there is the girl I remember from the library." He sat straighter, kept his hand on her thigh, and lowered the partition. "Please stop at Piotr'restaurant."
"I want to see your country that you clearly love. I've only ever written reports." She let her mind wander. If what he said about her sister was true, then she shouldn't fear Evie’s interference. Still, it would be nice to spend a few days alone with Lucio to really see if theyfit.
The limo turned on a smaller road that followed a gray river. "You'll enjoy this place. It's on the water, before we ascend themountain."
From her window, Avce seemed one of the prettiest places on the planet. She stared at Lucio’s chiseled jaw and felt a flutter while she wondered how he'd kiss. Her body was already warm, but she kept the conversation light. "The view sounds lovely. We can discuss how I can help Avce correct a few political landmines—and I’ve got a few ideas to boost theeconomy."
The car pulled into a parking lot that overlooked a bluff. "You're more of an expert than me. We'll discuss what committees you'll lead as princess, but I'd like to propose a No Business rule for the rest of the day. I'd like to get to know you—thewoman."
The engine cut off. Her heart beat faster. Lunch without discussing topics she understood? This felt like a date. She nodded her agreement and the dooropened.
